Saipan Tribune

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

SAES teachers, principal flip burgers for school cause

Teachers at San Antonio Elementary School were working hard Monday night, not to make lesson plans but to flip burgers, cook fries, and take orders at McDonald's Saipan' Chalan Laulau outlet as part of the McTeacher's Night program.

School principal James Sablan, teachers Catherine Cabrera, Beverly Surla, Annabel Tudela, Fatima Manaloto, and Jing Indalecio wore McDonald's aprons and caps as they operated the counters and served food to customers from 5pm to 8pm.

“McDonald's has always been supportive of all the schools here in the CNMI, both private and public. This time, they're doing the McTeacher's Night and after researching it, I noticed that it's been going on in the states for quite some time,” Sablan told Saipan Tribune.

The Home of the Octopus is the second public school in the CNMI to take part in the fundraising activity set up by the world's largest hamburger chain.

Launched in the Northern Marianas in December 2012, McTeacher's Night is a program that helps raise funds for participating public schools by giving them a percentage of store sales in the three hours they work as McDonald's crew once or twice a week throughout the month.

Total generated sales of $1,999 or less entitles the school to a 10-percent share, $2,000 to $2,999 equates to 15 percent, while $3,000 and above is equivalent to 20 percent.

Sablan said they were invited by McDonald's Saipan to join the program last November and they immediately signed up as it's a great incentive for schools to raise funds for their needs.

Sablan, who has previous experience working in a restaurant, said yesterday that Monday's event was fun, with former San Antonio Elementary School students, parents, other supporters, and even his associates seeing him and the other educators in action.

He said their schedule is from 5pm to 8pm every Monday and Tuesday in January. All 14 teachers will alternate and give up a day or two throughout the month to help out.

“I want to say a huge thank you to McDonald's for always keeping in mind the difficulties of schools that need funds nowadays,” said Sablan.

Last year, McDonald's Saipan also teamed up with the CNMI Public School System, launching the fundraising coupon topped by San Vicente Elementary School which received $8,000. San Antonio Elementary School came in third place with $1,000.

Sablan noted that they have yet to earmark the funds to be raised by their school through McTeacher's Night. “We'll see first how much funds we'll collect then we'll decide from there.”

McDonald's Saipan's Ana Olaes said that Monday's McTeacher's Night was a success because of the support of family members and friends of San Antonio Elementary School students and staff.

“They really did well, considering that it was their first day at McDonald's and it was also the first day of school after the holidays,” she said.

Olaes said the list of public schools that want to participate in the program is growing, and their schedule will be finalized and announced soon.

Sablan encouraged all San Antonio Elementary School stakeholders to stop by the fastfood chain and show their support for their educators.

“Please come down and get something-anything-from McDonald's to help our school. Your purchase goes back to the school,” he said.